Strategery: What Direction Should We Be Taking?

[rucky]

The Democratic party is split (duh), but the root of our split really comes down to strategy. As an earlier thread pointed out, there are some core beliefs we can most all agree upon. Most of the struggle we face is to find that "magic bullet" that will shift the momentum and assure us a win. This is also the source of alot of our frustration about our party. But if we're able to find that winning strategy - or at least pick one and commit to it - I think most of us can agree we'd have scored a victory.

We all have ideas about the overall tone we should be setting in this upcoming election. I've listed a few that have popped up. Which one is the most important? Why? If the poll numbers skew overwhelmingly to one direction, is that something you could live with?

Explanation of the options:

1) Campaign to the Center
PROS: Rake in that "swing vote" & take some away from *.
CONS: Shift away from the core. "Bush-lite". Lose some from the left.

2) Consistently Oppose Republicans
PROS: Show of unity. Clear show of opposition.
CONS: Republicans will be setting our agenda: We'd stand against something, but not for anything.

3) Big Tent
PROS: Big numbers.
CONS: No hard stance. Could majorly backfire.

4) Campaign To The Left
PROS: Clear opposition. Embrace a core Labor/minority/antiwar platform.
CONS: Open to vicious attacks. Not taking away any * votes. There's no $$$ in it.

5) Campaign as Outsider/Reformers
PROS: Bring in the "fed up" & third party voters & non-voters.
CONS: At the possible expense of loyal Democrats.

6) Campaign to the South
PROS: Electoral Votes
CONS: Not in step with the rest of the country. Limited candidate choices. See #1.

7) Keep Doing What We're Doing
PROS: We're doing it already.
CONS: What exactly are we doing?

8) Get Behind Whichever Course The Nominee Sets
PROS: Show of unity. ABB.
CONS: Depends on the Nominee.

9) Clean House Within The Party
PROS: Reform. Regain trust.
CONS: Chaos. Show of weakness.

[On the Road]

1. Wow -- These Results are a Surprise!

I didn't think the options were particularly stacked toward that answer, but it seems to resonate overwhelmingly here. I didn't even look at the results before voting.

[rucky]

2. I'm Pretty Shocked Myself

I tried not to show bias...except against "keep doing what we're doing"

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. I seem to remember that shrub campaigned as a

Nonpartisan Outsider Reformer. (new tone to Washington blah, blah, blah...)

[rucky]

4. *kick* for more votes

[Kolesar]

5. Develop a Democratic Message and run with it

"Health Care for All" is a simple message that the GOPs will not be able to counter. This will connect with people all over the electorate (disregarding the right wing zealots).

There are other messages that would be simple and effective also.

I think the real challenges, like decreasing America's dependence on mideast oil will be much more difficult sale. Who really wants to tell America that they are going to have to quit buying their huge gas-hog trucks that they use for commuter cars? Personally, I think that automobile fuel efficiency standards are the most urgent public policy matter that needs to be dealt with, but the fossil fuel producers have so poisoned the debate, that we lose whenever we mention it.

[rucky]

6. For the Way-Homers

:kick: